Am I covered for big events, like those during the Christmas season?
With the holiday season upon us, it is likely that your church is busy spreading Christmas cheer with different events and activities. While these events are meant to be celebrations, it is still important to ensure that you have appropriate coverage in place to help protect you from situations that may arise.
Many events that are holiday-themed but categorized as normal church functions can be covered by your general liability insurance. Some examples are Christmas plays, concerts, or craft shows where there are opportunities for slips, trips, and falls, and other small accidents. Commercial auto insurance may cover accidents that occur while delivering or transporting gifts and holiday decorations. Your property insurance might cover theft or damage to your church buildings in the unfortunate event that an incident happens during the busy Christmas season.
Regardless of what your church has planned for the holidays, there are few key points to consider:
Safety first Always follow reasonable precautions to help ensure the safety of your people and property. For example, extension cords can be trip hazards so it is important to place them out of high traffic areas and be sure they are not damaged.
Know your coverage Be aware of what insurance you currently have in place and what it entails. If you are unsure of what coverage you hold or if it is adequate for the activities you are planning, speak to your insurance agent.
Special event insurance is available If the events you are planning go beyond the scope of normal church functions, it may be possible for you to obtain special event insurance. This type of insurance acts as its own policy to help protect your church against risks associated with a specific event. If you are not sure of whether your event requires special event insurance, speak to your insurance agent.
Protection for future events The guidelines discussed above can be applied beyond just Christmas events. Use your best judgement while preparing for and enjoying events.
It is important to ensure you have the appropriate coverage in place and are taking proper safety steps for any big event that your church has planned during the year. Easter egg hunts, summer festivals, or back-to-school gatherings are some examples. As your church strives to fulfill your mission in the community, it is important to prioritize the protection of your people, property, and ministry.
Questions about insurance for your church’s events?
When you are covered by UMIP, we will be there when you need us. Churches have unique needs. As a part of the denomination, we understand the unique needs of United Methodist churches and their operations, which is reflected in our coverage options. Your ministry deserves outstanding insurance and UMIP works for you each day to help protect your church’s people, property, and finances.
Let's talk! Contact us at 484-654-3380 or at UMI@sovinsurance.com.
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This content has been prepared by United Methodist Insurance Company (UMI) for informational purposes only. No article or document may accurately contemplate all possible scenarios or church resources. As such, this information is meant to foster discussion by the individual church and its members to develop a plan tailored to its own circumstances. UMI is providing this information with no warranties or guarantees of any kind and it should not be viewed as legal, financial, or other professional advice. All liability is expressly disclaimed. Any claim examples described herein are general in nature, may or may not be based on actual claims, and are for informational purposes only. Any coverage available for a claim is determined from the facts and circumstances of the claim as well as the terms and conditions of any applicable policy, including any exclusions or deductibles. In the event of a conflict with the content herein, the terms and conditions of any issued policy will control. Individual coverage may vary and may not be available in all states.
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